“What?!”   

(An altogether typical response to the direct primary care model!)

Here are two thoughts: 

"You don't expect your car insurance company to buy you gasoline."

An insurance policy is designed to protect you in the event of unforeseen disasters; fender benders, flooding, house fires, etc. Like fuel or auto maintenance, primary care is a necessary practical commodity. The majority of primary care is not "crisis care," but "health-care." It makes sense to pay for this type of service directly instead of making "claims" to a company that makes money by denying them and then paying extra to fund a complicated infrastructure of people who argue back and forth over what your plan covers and what it doesn't. 

"Monthly membership in my practice will probably cost less than your monthly phone bill."  

Our practice will save most patients a lot of money. Exceptions may include patients who have insurance provided through Medicare or the military. Review your policy and assess what you spent on health care in the last year; include co-pays, medicines, urgent care or ER visits, and lab/imaging bills. Then look at the DPC model and weigh the pros/cons. Come by or call and we can answer your questions and explain how this could work in your case. Membership in our practice is an agreement between you and us; communication and clarity are key. 

What sets you apart from other practices?

The DPC model skips the bureaucracy. It cuts the red tape. In refusing to recognize any interference with the sanctity of the patient/physician relationship, this option returns family practice medicine to its root values of clinical excellence and compassionate knowledge of every patient. In every aspect of family health care it increases accessibility, convenience, and affordability.

Is Concierge Medicine the Same as Direct Primary Care?

These terms are often used interchangeably, and are essentially cousins at two ends of a spectrum. A standard concierge physician charges from $500 to several thousand dollars per patient per month and limit their patient panels to 100-200 patients. Basically you pay more money for more access to your doctor. In contrast, direct primary care practices average around 600 patients per physician but charge much less; between $50 and $100/mo depending on the payment structure (family discounts/age of patient etc). DPCs have been described as "concierge medicine for everyone" and are generally priced to save the average patient/family money while increasing the level of physician access as compared to current conventional medicine. 

Direct primary care is a healthcare model that allows us to actually put the patient first. That means treating patients when they need treatment, not rushing patients through appointments, and being there for patients regardless of the time of day. This is not just an advertising point; my payment structure, availability and schedule uniquely facilitate this type of care. The doctor-patient relationship is just as the name suggests – direct. We don’t accept insurance, instead we've chosen to work directly for you, the patient. 

Do you see children?

Yes, over half of our practice is children!

Can I contact you after hours?

Absolutely. Because illness and injury do not respect regular office hours, you may call us any day, at any hour.

Will I still benefit from joining your practice even if I don’t require frequent medical attention? 

Yes! If you are relatively healthy this is a great way to save money without limiting your access to care. Many young Americans are switching to low premium/high deductible plans. Many don't have an option, as the costs of their current plans skyrocket. These plans force the patient to avoid the doctor until they are in a crisis! Rather than having access to all that a family doctor can offer (and prevent!) they skip straight to emergency room care where they spend thousands of dollars; often in a matter of minutes! This is not continuity; emergency rooms and urgent care clinics do not know their patients personally and are forced to provide cookbook "standard of care" responses while constantly worrying about being sued; this is reflected in their utilization of healthcare resources.

In wellness and therapeutic care alike, our great ally is time - large amounts of precious, irretrievable time given to you as you wish. Every visit, for whatever reason, will be easy-going in its thoroughness, and relaxed in answering your questions and addressing the need of the moment. Then, as the months and years go by, we’ll build a comprehensive, intimate knowledge of your health - invaluable understanding available in no other regimen of care.

As your patient, will I still need health insurance?

Yes. We recommend that my patients carry a "wrap-around" plan, thereby ensuring financial help should hospitalization or referral to a specialist be necessary. This can be a catastrophic (high deductible) plan, a health sharing plan or one of several plans designed specifically for DPC members. 

If I have Medicare, can I still join your practice?

Yes. You will need to sign a one-time waiver declaring that neither you nor we will directly bill Medicare for medical services provided by in our practice. Medicare will still cover all other aspects of your care including any laboratory testing, imaging, medications, or hospitalizations.

What happens if I need to go to the hospital or see a specialist?

In providing unprecedented physician access, we seek to prevent or reduce hospitalizations and specialty referrals. In those instances where these types of care are required, we will certainly continue to serve you during your hospital stay or to work closely with any specialist as an advocate in your care. 

What if I need medical attention while I’m away from home?

Call me! While limited by the lack of a physical exam, we are glad to offer advice long distance advice. As your primary care physician, we feel a responsibility to be in the loop as health issues come up. Also we hope to know much more about you than a random urgent care or ER physician. 

Where can I read more about Direct Primary Care?

• Article about our practice from the NRV Magazine

• Article about our practice by Samaritans Ministries

• Direct Primary Care Alliance

• TIME magazine article

• 5 things to know about direct primary care

• A candid discussion of how DPC is a more cost effective form of health care; for you and your employer

Our Providers:

Dr. Matthew McCarthy

I grew up in Northeast Georgia. During high school and college I worked as a nurse assistant, ER technician and later as a monitor technician in an ICU. This experience led me to go into medicine and gave me experience in hands-on patient care in a variety of contexts. In 2003, I met my wife Valerie during freshman orientation at Toccoa Falls College. We each spent a summer in Eastern Europe doing public health education and village outreach. During college I played on the soccer team, played guitar in a band and probably studied too much! In 2007, I graduated with a double major in Biology and Cross-Cultural Studies and Val and I were married a month later. We moved to Blacksburg, VA, in 2008 for medical school at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. I graduated in 2012 and completed a three-year Family Practice residency in June of 2015. We have three children, Beatrix, Jack, and Ada. We live in Giles County and attend St. Philips Anglican Catholic Church. Our family owns and operates Windrush Berry Farm in Newport, VA.

Physicians Oath

With gratitude to God, faith in Christ Jesus, and dependence on the Holy Spirit, I publicly profess my intent to practice medicine for the glory of God. 

With humility, I will seek to increase my skills. I will respect those who teach me and who broaden my knowledge. In turn, I will freely impart my knowledge and wisdom to others. 

With God's help, I will love those who come to me for healing and comfort. I will honor and care for each patient as a person made in the image of God, putting aside selfish interests, remaining pure and chaste at all times. 

With God's guidance, I will endeavor to be a good steward of my skills and of society's resources. I will convey God's love in my relationships with family, friends, and community. I will aspire to reflect God's mercy in caring for the lonely, the poor, the suffering, and the dying. 

With God’s direction, I will respect the sanctity of human life. I will care for all my patients, rejecting those interventions that either intentionally destroy or actively end human life, including the unborn, the weak and vulnerable, and the terminally ill. 

With God's grace, I will live according to this profession. 

-Matthew McCarthy

Adapted from the Christian Medical and Dental Association's "Christian Physician's Oath."

Trish Miller, Nurse Practitioner

“To be a fellow worker with God is the highest aspiration of which we can conceive man capable” are words penned by Florence Nightingale in 1873. The nursing profession is one that is encapsulated by words such as “caring” and “compassionate.” Nursing is a vocation, a calling to serve others. I have had the privilege to practice as a nurse for over 24 years, mostly working in critical care units in various hospital settings across the country.

After years of bedside ICU nursing, I decided to finally return to school at Radford University Carilion to pursue a Master’s Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The decision was prompted by a discussion with a gentleman who hopelessly said, “It is cheaper for me to buy life insurance, than health insurance.” The struggle to afford healthcare is felt by many of those around us and the lack of primary care providers is evident, especially in rural Southwest Virginia. I am beyond excited to join Direct Primary Care of Blacksburg where I can continue to grow as a caregiver! I am currently working on a Specialty Certification in Endocrinology through Duke University so that I can address the often complicated concerns of diabetes, weight challenges, thyroid disorders, infertility and other women’s health issues.

I grew up on a small farm in Southern Ohio. At 15, I met my future husband, Wade, and were married 5 years later. We attended Cedarville College together, where I earned my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. We have 4 kids, Owen, Aidan, Ava, and Annie (ages 19-14) and live in Pearisburg. Wade is the Priest at St. Philip’s Anglican Church here in Blacksburg. When I am not working or studying, I enjoy hiking with our 2 crazy Vizslas and doing anything outdoors.

“If we pray, we will believe; If we believe, we will love; If we love, we will serve.” Mother Teresa